Our First Challenge Met!

Well, we only blinkin’ did it! The plan was to cycle from mum and dad’s house to Cosmeston Lakes in Lavernock and back. A round trip of 14 miles and we did it! Penni said that there was never any doubt – I had to disagree, and it’s not that I was wrong, just that on this occasion, Penni was right!

This was our first training ‘mile stone’ and something that a good few years ago my sister, my father and I were in training for. Every Sunday Dad would take Pen and I for a bike ride and every week we would go a little further, the plan was to eventually get fit enough to get to Cosmeston (remembering that we would have to get back as well) but for whatever reason, we didn’t get there. So last Saturday, when Pen and I rode into the car park I think we both felt a huge sense of achievement and although we didn’t say it, we were a bit proud of ourselves!

Over the last few weeks, Penni has been very busy emailing and writing to various companies for sponsorship but so far a number of the larger companies have been unable to help us. It would seem that generally they choose to support a specific charity each year as they are inundated with requests for money and they can’t help everyone; but Pen has had some luck with the smaller companies and she recently approached the local newspaper (the Barry and District) who are going to write a couple of articles on our adventure! They are sending a reporter and photographer tomorrow (28/10/08) to write the initial piece and will follow it up before we set off and finish the story when we return so hopefully this will generate a fair amount of local interest. Pen has also approached a friend who works at our old primary school and they have said that they will hold a non-uniform day to help raise funds for us, so all in all, fundraising has really started! There is still a long way to go but Pen is doing a brillo job so far!

While we are on the subject, although money is never a nice topic, the other BIG news is that we have set up a webpage for folks to sponsor us, the URL is www.justgiving.com/joandpenni and it is really quick and very easy to use. If you could sponsor us that would be fantastic, any amount from 50p to £50 would be gratefully received by the MS Trust and anything that helps us on out way to £2,500 would be a huge help!

So – until the next time, take great care
Loadsa love, Jx